The hit bio musical FELA! returns to the Ahmanson Theatre, featuring Michelle Williams from the chart-topping pop group Destiny's Child. Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening) and produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, FELA! brings a high-energy mix of dance, theater and music to tell the true-life story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Using Kuti's pioneering music -- a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies -- FELA! explores Kuti's controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.

Reviews & Ratings

This is one of the most powerfully entertaining and informative theatrical performances that we have experienced EVER! The staging was superb; the acting incredible; the music exhilarating; the dancing hypnotic; and the grounding in historical/cultural perspectives profound!

This is a must see for understanding the compelling influence of music and dance for activating social movements. Be prepared to participate in the movement at the Shrine - leave your inhibitions at home!

Maybe I was expecting too much. The music is good (I went because already know and love Fela and Femi's music) and the dancing very energetic, but the story - while about an important figure - is quite simple and so needed to be told in a much...continued

We came as skeptics, being longtime Fela Kuti fans. So, after the first few minutes it felt very strange indeed- sitting in this fancy theatre in comfortable seats consuming a product from the uber-commercial Broadway/Hollywood axis. Soon...continued

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Quotes & Highlights

Watch the video trailer for FELA!
The hot (and seriously cool) energy that comes from the musical gospel preached by the title character of _FELA! Feels as if it could stretch easily to the borders of Manhattan and then across a river or two. There should be dancing in the streets!" —New York Times _
“_FELA__!_ Is as rowdy as it is rousing. (It) is one of the most original and exciting shows to come around in a long while.” —_Daily News _
“There’s enough energy in the first act of _ FELA!_ to short circuit Con Ed. It spills over from the stage and into the orchestra seats. Boundless and joyous: This is as close as Broadway gets to fully immersive theatre.” —_New York Post _
Bill T. Jones’s wildly loose-limbed journey into the throbbing heart of Afrobeat breaks bold new ground in musical theatre." —_Variety _

Description

FELA! is the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.